What is Important in Life?
A resort was constructed specifically for religious Yidden. The vast grounds were covered in deep green pastures, dotted with picnic tables, and there were parks for recreation. Additionally, there was a large beis medresh on the premises. A visitor to this resort would quickly realize that it could either be a yeshiva or a hotel. The difference between the two possibilities is significant. If it is a yeshiva, the primary room is the beis medresh, and everything else is to enable the bachurim to have peace of mind and good health, so they can grow in Torah study. However, if it is a vacation resort, the primary purpose is recreation, and the beis medresh is secondary.
This is the same quandary people face when they observe the beautiful world Hashem created. What is the purpose of it all? Is it all for recreation, so people can enjoy the various pleasures of life, or is it all for serving Hashem and Torah study? The Torah answers this question with its first word, בראשית. Chazal explain that ראשית alludes to Torah, yiras Shamayim, and the Jewish nation. בראשית teaches us that the world was created so that the Jewish nation can study Torah and to serve Hashem. That is the ultimate goal and purpose.
The snake said to Chavah, אלקים אמר כי אף ...הגן עץ מכל תאכלו לא, "Did Hashem say that you may not eat from all trees in the garden?" The Chidushei HaRim said that אף can be translated, "So what?" The snake told Chavah, "So what if Hashem commanded that you may not eat from the Tree of Knowledge? Does that mean you have to listen to Him?"
The Chidushei HaRim explains that the yetzer hara continues to use this method in our generation to cool off people's yiras shamayim. He comes to a person and says, "Who says that it's so important to listen to these rules? What will happen if you don’t listen?" With this conniving approach, he causes people to sin and to transgress Hashem's will.
The solution is when we recognize what is truly important in life. When we know that Torah and mitzvos are the ultimate purpose of creation, we realize that each detail of Hashem's commandments must be kept. What other purpose is there to the world, other than that?
The Ropshitzer Rav zt'l told the following mashal: A simple, unlearned farmer didn't know the order of how the tefillos are recited and what tefillos are recited on particular days. He had a friend who would always help him and show him what to say. When the days of Selichos arrived, the friend told the farmer, "For a couple of weeks, we will be awakening early and spending more time in the beis medresh." The farmer wasn't happy to hear that. He didn't appreciate long tefillos.
Before Rosh Hashanah, his friend told him to expect very long tefillos. The farmer almost fell off his chair from despair when he heard that. Then came Yom Kippur, and then Succos with Hallel and Hoshanos. It was all very long and hard for the unlearned farmer. Simchas Torah was approaching and was again informed about the long tefillos and long hakafos.
"By the way things are going," said the farmer, "I figure that after Simchas Torah, there'll be another long day of tefillah coming up." "Actually, after Simchas Torah, things go back to regular," his friend said. "Baruch Hashem!" the farmer exclaimed with feeling. That Simchas Torah, he danced with all his might because he was happy that his painful ordeal was finally ending.
The Ropshitzer Rav zt'l said: Woe to those who are happy when these days pass.
Motzei Simchas Torah, the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz zt'l said to one of his chassidim, "Would you want to begin all over again, beginning with the first night of Selichos?" And he started singing ביתך יושבי אשרי, in the tune of the first night of Selichos. The Imrei Chaim loved the yomim tovim, and when the yomim tovim passed, he was ready to start them all over again. When we know what is truly important in life, we will be happy with the yomim tovim and not wait for them to pass.
